Polyurethane gels

Abstract

The present invention relates to gel compositions comprising a polyurethane elastomer. The polyurethane elastomer is formed from the reaction of a polyol, a polyisocyanate, and a polyurethane reaction catalyst in the presence of a topically acceptable carrier fluid. In some embodiments, the gel composition comprises a personal active ingredient or a healthcare active ingredient, which may be incorporated into the gel composition via a pre-load method or a post-load method. Also provided herein are gel pastes and topical formulations containing the polyurethane elastomers, and methods of making the same.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gel composition comprising a polyurethane elastomer gel containing a reaction product of:
 (A) a polyisocyanate or a mixture of polyisocyanates comprising two or more isocyanate functional groups;   (B) a polyol or mixture of polyols comprising two or more hydroxyl functional groups;   (C) a polyurethane reaction catalyst; and   (D) a topically acceptable carrier fluid acting as a solvent, the solvent being acceptable for cutaneous surfaces, the topically acceptable carrier being selected from the group consisting of esters, triglycerides, hydrocarbons, oils and combinations thereof;   wherein the reaction product has an elastomeric matrix with the topically acceptable carrier fluid entrapped in the elastomeric matrix; and   wherein the polyurethane elastomer gel is a smooth, non-tacky, homogenous gel.   
     
     
         2 . The gel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the topically acceptable carrier fluid comprises a member of the group consisting of diisooctyl succinate, heptyl undecylenate, neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, coco-caprylate/caprate, triheptanoin, caprylic/capric triglyceride, dodecane, tridecane, C13-15 alkanes, squalenes, squalenes, isoamyl laurate, isopentyl laurate, caprylic/capric/myristic/stearic triglyceride, caprylic/capric/succinic triglyceride, isopropyl myristate, jojoba esters, tricaprylin, palm oil and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The gel composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a pharmaceutically active ingredient dissolved in the topically acceptable carrier fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The gel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polyisocyanate or mixture of polyisocyanates is a low molecular weight polyisocyanate or mixture of polyisocyanates and wherein the polyol or mixture of polyols contains two or more hydroxyl, amine, thiol, or carboxylic acid groups. 
     
     
         5 . The gel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polyurethane reaction catalyst is a bismuth group containing catalyst. 
     
     
         6 . The gel composition of  claim 1 , wherein greater than 50% of the carbon content of the topically acceptable carrier fluid is derived from a plant source. 
     
     
         7 . A topical formulation comprising:
 the gel composition of  claim 1  and a pharmaceutically active ingredient, wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is a personal care active ingredient or a healthcare active ingredient.   
     
     
         8 . A gel composition comprising a polyurethane elastomer gel containing a reaction product of:
 (A) castor oil;   (B) isophorone diisocyanate, wherein the molar ratio of isocyanate groups to hydroxyl groups is from about 1:1 to 1:2;   (C) a polyurethane reaction catalyst; and   (D) a topically acceptable carrier fluid acting as a solvent at a concentration of 60% (w/w) to 99.9% (w/w) of the gel composition, the solvent being acceptable for cutaneous surfaces, the topically acceptable carrier being selected from the group consisting of esters, triglycerides, hydrocarbons, oils and combinations thereof;   wherein a personal care or healthcare active ingredient is optionally incorporated into the polyurethane elastomer gel by dissolving the personal care or healthcare active ingredient in the topically acceptable carrier fluid during formation of the polyurethane elastomer gel, or by admixing the personal care or healthcare active ingredient with a formed polyurethane elastomer gel;   wherein the reaction product has an elastomeric matrix with the topically acceptable carrier fluid entrapped in the elastomeric matrix; and   wherein the polyurethane elastomer gel is a smooth, non-tacky, homogenous gel.   
     
     
         9 . The gel composition of  claim 8 , wherein the topically acceptable carrier fluid is selected from the group consisting of diisooctyl succinate, heptyl undecylenate, neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, coco-caprylate/caprate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The gel composition of  claim 8 , further comprising a pharmaceutically active ingredient dissolved in the topically acceptable carrier fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The gel composition of  claim 8 , wherein the polyurethane reaction catalyst is a bismuth group containing catalyst. 
     
     
         12 . The gel composition of  claim 8 , wherein greater than 50% of the carbon content of the topically acceptable carrier fluid is derived from a plant source. 
     
     
         13 . A topical formulation comprising:
 the gel composition of  claim 8  and a pharmaceutically active ingredient, wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is a personal care active ingredient or a healthcare active ingredient.